Romanian Military Airlifts Injured Civilians from Gaza Strip
Romania Performs Life-Saving Medical Evacuation for Gaza Patients
A humanitarian operation orchestrated by Romania has safely transported 13 Palestinian patients in urgent medical need, accompanied by 34 family members, from the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip to Romania for specialized care in Romanian, Norwegian, and French hospitals.
The mission, performed on March 19, 2025, commenced with a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Romanian Air Force taking off from Otopeni Airport around midday, arriving at Israel's Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport at 4:30 PM. Following medical evaluations, patient boarding, and a 6:00 PM departure, the aircraft touched down at Bucharest's 90th Air Transport Base near midnight.
During the flight, a team of medical professionals from Romania's emergency services maintained constant care for the patients, including doctors and paramedics from UPU-SMURD and the Ministry of National Defense.
According to the Department of Emergency Situations' announcement, the group included seven patients – six young children ranging from four months to 11 years of age, along with an 18-year-old adult. The remaining patients were transferred to Norway and France through other Romanian Air Force aircrafts and planes provided by Luxembourg authorities, respectively.
The evacuation mission came in response to requests from the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The operation was coordinated with multiple countries, as part of a global effort to aid the severely underserved healthcare system in Gaza.
Despite escalating violence and the potential for attacks near medical facilities, the World Health Organization (WHO) facilitated the transfer of 284 patients and their companions from Gaza for much-needed medical attention. Notably, a hospital in Gaza, targeted in an attack during the evacuation process, remained unharmed, and the WHO continues to advocate for the protection of hospitals amid the conflict to preserve their crucial life-saving role.
This humanitarian medical evacuation is a vital component of international efforts to provide urgent medical care to those affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As one of several countries working together, Romania played a critical role in ensuring the safe and timely delivery of care to patients in urgent need.
The Romania-led medical evacuation, a crucial part of the international efforts for Gaza's health and wellness, allowed 13 patients with urgent medical conditions to receive specialized care in Romanian, Norwegian, and French hospitals. This mission, aligned with the World Health Organization's goals, ensured uninterrupted science-based medical attention for the patients amidst escalating violence and potential attacks near medical facilities in Gaza.
